Ir Prof LAU Ching Kwong
Professional Structural and Civil Engineer, Bridge Expert
Past President of the HKIE (2002/2003), Former Director of Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Department, the HKSAR Government
In just over 100 years, Hong Kong has evolved from a small village to a world class international city, and the engineering profession has been the major force boosting rapid economic development and prosperity in Hong Kong. In this respect, engineers always play an important role.
The spectrum of professional engineers is very wide. There are 21 Engineering Disciplines in The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, namely Aircraft, Biomedical, Building, Building Services, Chemical, Civil, Control, Automation & Instrumentation, Electrical, Electronics, Energy, Environmental, Fire, Gas, Geotechnical, Information, Logistics & Transportation, Manufacturing & Industrial, Marine & Naval Architecture, Materials, Mechanical and Structural. Hence, the engineering profession encompasses almost every aspect of our daily life.
Looking back at my 40 years of professional engineer career, the path was long and harsh, like climbing mountain after mountain, conquering one challenge after one challenge. However, when I look back at those successful projects which I participated in and jointly worked with the engineering professional team, such as in Hong Kong, the Ocean Terminal, new highway, footbridges, pedestrian/vehicular subways, flyovers and viaducts, Tsing Ma Bridge, Kap Shui Mun Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge, Disney Theme Park, Express Rail Link West Kowloon Terminus Station and SARS Ward ventilation system; in the Mainland, Shen Zhen Metro, Shanghai cross Yangtze River Bridge/Tunnel, Shanghai Bund Tunnel, Sutong Bridge, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge-Immersed Tunnel Section and Aesthetic improvement to bridges across Pearl River, Guangzhou; and projects in the South East Asia and Middle East including the feasibility design of the Sea Crossing between Malacca, Malaysia and Indonesia etc. They give me job satisfaction and the sense of achievement that hard work always pays off.
Our mother country and Hong Kong are moving ahead with the whole world. The engineering profession will surely continue to be the main driving force of the society development. Choosing professional engineer as a lifelong career will have a bright and successful future. Dear young friends, your future is in your hands, undoubtedly, you will be able to find an engineering profession in the above 21 Engineering Disciplines of interest to you. I do sincerely hope that you would work hard towards this direction, accept different challenges and opportunities, enjoy the career and at the same time contribute to the society and the general public.